Individual differences in dunging patterns in loose-housed lactating sows

ABSTRACT

This research investigated individual differences in dunging patterns in loose-housed lactating sows. Farrowing pens were divided into six sectors and in study 1 each sector was given a dung score from 0 (no manure) to 3 (≥2 deposits). There were significant positive correlations between dung score and the weight of manure within sectors. In study 2, pen cleanliness was scored in 24 farrowing pens for loose-housed sows on three consecutive days in weeks 3, 4 and 5 of lactation (9 observations). One-third of the sows received a dung score of 0 for the solid floor area, in seven to nine of the observations. These sows could be categorized as ‘clean’ sows. However, 46% of sows scored 0 in the solid floor area for less than two observations, and these sows could be categorized as ‘dirty’ sows. Overall, older parity sows were ‘cleaner’ than gilts and mid-parity sows.

KEYWORDS:

• Farrowing pens
• pen cleanliness
• individual variation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.